Mourinho said he had received no approach from Galaxy, but would not stand Ibrahimovic’s way if they came calling.

Mourinho said: “Zlatan is in last year of his contract, if – and he said nothing about it to me – but if, if, if that is true and Zlatan wants a future in another club in another country we are here to help and create conditions to help, not to make his life difficult.

“But the last thing Zlatan told me was he wants to recover totally and help the team.”

Ibra scored 28 goals last season including two in the EFL victory over Southampton.